Urban Nb: Three Largest Cities

New Brunswick, one of the three Maritime provinces located within Eastern Canada, has eight municipalities categorised as cities. The three largest cities in New Brunswick by population are Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton, which is also the capital city. The population of these cities varies, with Moncton having 79,470 residents, Saint John having 69,406, and Fredericton having 32,177. The cities also differ in size, with Saint John being the largest at 315.59 square kilometres, and Campbellton being the smallest at 18.57 square kilometres.

Moncton is the largest city in New Brunswick

Moncton's population makes it the largest city in the province, with the next most populous city, Saint John, having 69,406 residents as of 2023. The capital of New Brunswick, Fredericton, is the third-largest city in the province by population, with 32,177 residents as of 2023.

Moncton's population is growing at a rate of 1.2% per year, while Saint John's is growing faster at 2.1% per year, and Fredericton's at 3.3% per year. Despite this, Fredericton's population would need to more than double to surpass Moncton.

In addition to being the most populous city in New Brunswick, Moncton also has a large metropolitan area. This metropolitan area has a population of 140,670, which includes the city of Moncton and its surrounding areas. The Moncton metropolitan area is growing at a rate of 3.3% per year, adding to the overall population of the region.

Saint John was the first incorporated city in New Brunswick

Saint John, Moncton, and Fredericton are the three largest cities in New Brunswick. While Moncton is the largest city in the province by population, Saint John is the largest by land area. Saint John was also the first incorporated city in New Brunswick and in Canada overall.

The history of Saint John, New Brunswick, dates back thousands of years, with the area first inhabited by the Maliseet and Miꞌkmaq First Nations. In 1604, French explorer Samuel de Champlain landed at Saint John Harbour and named the Saint John River in honour of St. Jean the Baptiste. During the 17th century, a French settlement was established in Saint John, and it served as the seat for the administration under Charles de Saint-Étienne de la Tour during the Acadian Civil War. However, the French abandoned the area in 1755, and British forces took over shortly afterward.

In 1783, two settlements, Carleton and Parrtown, were established by American "Loyalists" who supported the British during the American Revolutionary War. These loyalist-dominated communities were amalgamated by royal charter to become the City of Saint John in 1785, making it the first incorporated city in British North America (present-day Canada). The charter of 1785 included provisions for regulating local fishing rights, establishing police and fire services, trade regulation, taxation, and the dedication of Navy Island for the Royal Navy. It also established a medical quarantine station at Partridge Island, located in the harbour.

The city of Saint John continued to grow and develop over the following centuries, becoming a leading industrial centre in the 19th century due to its robust shipbuilding trade. The city attracted a large influx of immigrants during the Irish Famine in the 1840s, further diversifying its culture and architecture. Today, Saint John is known for its rich history, vibrant pub and restaurant scene, and cultural attractions, including museums, art galleries, and theatres.

Fredericton is the capital of New Brunswick

New Brunswick's largest city by population is Moncton, with 79,470 residents. It is followed by Saint John, which has 69,406 inhabitants and is the largest city in the province by land area, spanning 315.59 square kilometres, or 121.85 square miles. Moncton and Saint John are the only cities in the province with a higher population than Fredericton.

Fredericton is New Brunswick's capital, but it is not incorporated as a city. This is because its population falls below the minimum threshold of 10,000 residents required for an area to be incorporated as a city in the province. However, there is an exception to this rule: Campbellton, with a population of 7,049, is a city due to its incorporation prior to January 1, 1967.

As one of the Maritime provinces, New Brunswick is known for its coastal landscapes and maritime culture. Fredericton, as the capital, is a cultural and administrative hub in the province. It is home to important governmental and institutional buildings, such as the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick and the Fredericton Region Museum. The city also boasts a vibrant arts scene, with venues like the Fredericton Playhouse and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery showcasing local and international talent.

Dieppe is the fourth most populous city in New Brunswick

The largest city in New Brunswick by population is Moncton, with 79,470 residents, while the smallest is Campbellton, with 7,049 residents. The other two of the three largest cities in New Brunswick by population are Saint John and Fredericton, the provincial capital.

Dieppe was incorporated as a city on January 1, 2003, making it the most recent city incorporation in the province. The city of Dieppe is part of the Moncton metropolitan area, which has a population of 75,015 as of 2023.

Bathurst has a hybrid council type

The three largest cities in New Brunswick, Canada, by population are:

• Moncton, with 79,470 residents
• Saint John, with 67,575 residents
• Fredericton, with 58,270 residents

Bathurst's Hybrid Council Type

Bathurst, a city in northern New Brunswick, has a unique "hybrid" council type. It has a Mayor–council form of government, with seven at-large councillors and two ward councillors. This means that some councillors are elected to represent specific geographical areas or wards, while others are elected to represent the city as a whole.

The Mayor of Bathurst is elected by popular vote, and the city holds elections every four years, in May. The most recent election in 2020 saw Mayor Fongemie win with 3,064 votes.

The city's council is responsible for various aspects of governance, including the approval of construction and development projects. The council ensures that all projects meet the requirements of the relevant building codes and by-laws. The Engineering and Public Works department, which falls under the council's purview, oversees municipal services such as water, road maintenance, traffic management, snow clearing, and hydrant maintenance.

In addition to its hybrid council, Bathurst also has a strong community focus, with various organisations and churches that serve the city. The Bathurst Police Force and the Bathurst Fire Department are also dedicated to serving and protecting the community.

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